Dayton Docket

For as long as she can remember, Kassidy Dees wanted to be a lawyer.

She was so set on it, that in high school she spent her free time helping out at a law firm.

"I fell in love with the practice," Kassidy says. "It was so interesting. You cannot make up the things you see every day."

Kassidy went on to get her undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky.

"After I graduated I had every intent of applying to law school and getting started," Kassidy says.

But life doesn’t always stick to the docket.

"I woke up one morning and discovered I had a pin stroke in my sleep," Kassidy says. "After some testing and extensive research they found I had congenital heart disease, which is a heart defect I was born with."

Kassidy recovered, ready for law school but with a new perspective.

"It definitely changes your outlook on life and makes you more appreciative of your days," Kassidy says.

Not wanting to waste any time in getting her law degree, Kassidy decided to try the University of Dayton School of Law's 2-Year J.D. program.

"It was not difficult as far as time management," Kassidy says. "You just have to have the mindset of getting prepared and being willing to get that done."

The program is designed so that you take classes during the summer, but you don’t take any more classes each semester than you would if you were a three-year student.

"Everybody said did you miss your summers?," Kassidy says. "Not really. You can still study outside and go to the pool and take your note cards."

Kassidy graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2016 and went to work for the law firm where she started all those years ago in high school.

"It’s kind of a running joke now they haven’t been able to get rid of me since I was 15," Kassidy says.

But that’s not all she does. She also prosecutes cases as an assistant county attorney. Something else the University of Dayton prepared her for.

"My education was specifically tailored to what I’m doing and how I’m practicing law," Kassidy says.

For Kassidy the 2-Year program can be measured in more than just the days and hours she saved but in the way she spends her time now.

"I can actually see the difference we make in the lives of those around us," Kassidy says.